Twang, Ep 1: Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?

In the first episode of Twang, host Lane Wendell Fischer unpacks the origin story of country music with Tim Marema. We explore how a rich mix of rural traditions became a genre — and how race, class, and geography shaped which stories got told. From front porch fiddles to the invention of the “hillbilly” record, we trace the transformation of a diverse musical culture into a commercial industry that told a narrow narrative. 

Artists discussed include: The Carter Family, Waylon Jennings, The Chicks, and Luke Smathers.

Listen to the episode companion playlist

Read Lane Wendell Fischer’s commentary about this episode.